GMA Launches GEM to Build a Startup-Driven Youth Ecosystem in Ghaziabad

Events Press Release

• January 3, 2026

In a significant push to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs, the Ghaziabad Management Association (GMA) will debut the Ghaziabad Entrepreneurship Mission (GEM) on 10 January 2026 at Ram Chameli Chadha Vishwas Girls College.

Honored guest Sunil Kumar Sharma, Minister for IT & Electronics, Government of Uttar Pradesh, will inaugurate the initiative, underscoring the state’s commitment to nurturing grassroots entrepreneurship beyond major cities.

Senior officials including Ravindra Kumar Mandar, DM Ghaziabad, Abhinav Gopal, CDO Ghaziabad, and Shreenath Paswan, General Manager, District Industries Centre, alongside GMA leadership and regional industrialists, will attend the launch.

GEM: A Blueprint for Empowering Young Innovators

As GMA’s flagship effort, GEM aims to equip youth with the skills to become entrepreneurs, job creators, and innovation leaders, aligning with the nationwide Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

Established in 1982, GMA represents 650+ industry professionals and institutions. Through GEM, it expands its role from advocacy to actively shaping entrepreneurship pathways for youth.

‘Building Job Creators, Not Job Seekers’: GMA’s Motivation

Rahul Agrawal, Executive Director, GMA, emphasized the initiative’s role in national progress: “India’s growth hinges on fostering job creators. GEM bridges Ghaziabad’s youth with the startup ecosystem through practical mentorship. This is our pledge toward a self-reliant India.” He confirmed GMA’s industrial network will guide emerging founders.

First Cohort: 60% Women Founders Lead the Way

The inaugural cohort was selected from 4,000+ applicants across 12 Ghaziabad colleges. Notably, over 60% of selected founders are women, signaling rising female entrepreneurship and shifting aspirations in the region—a trend viewed as vital for inclusive economic growth.

District Administration Backs Grassroots Innovation

Abhinav Gopal, CDO Ghaziabad (IAS), stressed GEM’s relevance: “Youth must envision enterprise over employment for sustainable development. GEM offers institutional support to jumpstart this mindset.” The District Industries Centre, led by Shreenath Paswan, will assist eligible startups with government schemes and MSME frameworks.

GEM’s Anticipated Impact

Stakeholders expect GEM to transform Ghaziabad’s engagement with youth by:

• Creating a structured pipeline of trained founders
• Making entrepreneurship a mainstream career aspiration
• Accelerating women-led enterprises
• Building a local startup culture to retain talent and opportunities

With collaboration between industry, government, and academia, GEM is poised to become one of Uttar Pradesh’s most comprehensive district-level entrepreneurship programs.

Implementation by SkillingYou

SkillingYou will execute the mission as Knowledge & Execution Partner, focusing on structured founder development and measurable outcomes.

Ghaziabad’s Contribution to National Progress

The participation of IT & Electronics Minister Sunil Kumar Sharma highlights Uttar Pradesh’s focus on district-led innovation. GEM signifies that India’s startup growth will thrive not just in metros, but where communities collaborate with purpose.

The January 10 launch marks Ghaziabad’s stride toward a youth-powered economy in alignment with Viksit Bharat.

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